Author Archives: Maggie Melin Czerwinski

What would inspire you, your family, or friends to walk or bike more within your suburban or rural community?

Could the addition of protected bike lanes, multi-use paths, or improved sidewalk connections make a difference?

Next month, one of our state’s largest sources of funding for walking and biking infrastructure projects will become available.

Starting August 1, this key funding source — the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) — will be accepting grant applications for two months,

Want to build more excitement for biking in your community?

Last year, dozens of grassroots groups and towns celebrated Bike Month with fun bicycle-related events and activities.

These groups infused their communities with the joy of biking through activities like community bike rides, social gatherings, and cookouts.

Now you have the opportunity to do the same!

Active Transportation Alliance is delighted to again offer a series of mini-stipends to support advocacy work and community-based events that celebrate biking during Bike Month in May 2024 — and beyond.

Towards the end of 2023, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) released its 2023 Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Safety Assessment for the state.

As mandated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the assessment identifies safety trends, policies, and strategies to enhance the safety of pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users.

The following are highlights from the report:

SAFETY TRENDS

IDOT compiled and analyzed safety data spanning from 2005 to 2022,

Want to get more involved in making our region a better place to walk, roll, bike, and take transit?  

If you’re interested in learning about tangible ways to make a positive difference in your community and across our region, become a Street Team Advocate!

Join one of our two-hour trainings this winter to build your advocacy skills and get up to speed on our two most pressing campaigns – Transit That Works and Safe Streets for All.  

As the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) develops its state-wide plan for improving walking and biking, dozens of organizations and municipalities are urging the state to take a bold approach with the plan.

Active Transportation Alliance has rallied together 69 organizations and municipalities that have expressed their support for a series of recommended policies and programs for IDOT to consider while developing its plan.

Here are a few examples of policies and programs that could have a positive impact on active transportation projects throughout the state:

• Encourage IDOT to formerly endorse the National Association of City Transportation Officials’

This year the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has launched a new initiative to create a roadmap for a safe, connected pedestrian and bicycle network across the state.

The Walk Roll Illinois Active Transportation Plan initiative is an update to the state’s 2014 Bike Plan, which will now include all active transportation modes. IDOT seeks to understand existing conditions, identify needs, and set community priorities to make Illinois more walkable, bikeable,

Active Trans is proud to report that one of the most important state funding sources for walking and biking improvements is awarding its largest annual amount ever.

The three-fold increase is the result of a statewide campaign led by Active Trans and helped along by supporters like you pushing for dedicated state funding for walking and biking.

The funding source — called the Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) — is putting nearly $106 million toward walking,